Maximum distance with open/iron sights?

[jphendren]

I recently picked up a Pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .300 Winchester Magnum.  I purchased the rifle for target shooting and collecting as I do not hunt.  The rifle does not have a scope, but does have the factory Lyman 16B rear sight, and Winchester 103C gold bead front.  How far should I expect to be able to hit things with open sights?  My other two rifles both have scopes, and are much easier to hit objects such as one gallon plastic bottles at over 200 yards.  I have taken the .300 out twice now, and can hit one gallon plastic bottles at a little over 100 yards, but it is much more difficult than doing it with a scope as the front sight bead is larger than the target at that range.  I realize that there are a lot of variables such as skill, wind, etc. that come into play here, but how far can you shoot accurately with iron sights?  I think that 100-115 yards may be my limit for one gallon bottle sized objects.  Don't take this question too seriously, it is just for fun.

P.S. I normally shoot a Pre-64 M70 in .375 H&H, and was surprised at how hard the .300 Win. Magnum recoils, it is much sharper than my .375.  The .375 is more pleasant to shoot LOL.

Jared

[Mikey]

Try 1,000 yds, International Match, open sights - open military sights that is. 

If you want to use that 300 for target and plinking and intend on keeping those sights then you will have to elevate your rear sight until you can take a 6 o'clock hold on your target (milk jug); that means the target object sits on top of the front sight blade or bead so that when you shoot the bullet strikes the center of the target, rather than having the front sight bead cover the target. 

For one gallon bottle sized targets your maximum range with open sights might be out to 300 yds.  It may help to paint the container some color that really lets it stand out.  HTH.

[simplicity]

I have to aggree with mikey on the 6 o'clock hold where the target sits on top of the front sight this is how I was always taught how to shoot shoot. The two limits how ever willl be how much elevation you can get out of your rear sight and how well you can see the intended target. With me if I can see the target no matter what the range I can usually hit it with open sights. Also you have to learn the rifle etc. As far as the recoil I have a 338 win mag that I have been shooting since I was 12 and I have to aggree with your statement the 375 is more of a big push rather then the 300/ 338's hit you alot faster so perceieved recoil feels greater when all accuallity the 375 delvers more recoil in ftlbs but just isn't as fast.

[mrussel]

Try 1,000 yds, International Match, open sights - open military sights that is.  

If you want to use that 300 for target and plinking and intend on keeping those sights then you will have to elevate your rear sight until you can take a 6 o'clock hold on your target (milk jug); that means the target object sits on top of the front sight blade or bead so that when you shoot the bullet strikes the center of the target, rather than having the front sight bead cover the target.  

For one gallon bottle sized targets your maximum range with open sights might be out to 300 yds.  It may help to paint the container some color that really lets it stand out.  HTH.

 I understand Simo Hayha made most of his shots from a sitting position at around 400 yards. Ive heard of Finnish snipers making shots out past 600 yards at apparently Hayha was not the only one that used iron sights. The sights on those things were terrible as well. With decent sights and decent skill I would expect someone to be able to hit at 3-400 yards on a rifle with a decent set of sights.

[454Puma]

I agree with the posts above! The key are your eye's, are they good enough to shoot that far!  Get some florecent green/orange targets  as it helps!  My eye's are not as good as they once were so I limit myself to 250 and under with open sites!  Thats still a long poke!  With top of the line peeps I might go further but not on game!

The rifle you have is capable to shoot 1000 yards with accurate ammo- .5-.1" groups at 100 yards! And you should able to do this with open sites and a good rest!!

[mrussel]

I agree with the posts above! The key are your eye's, are they good enough to shoot that far!  Get some florecent green/orange targets  as it helps!  My eye's are not as good as they once were so I limit myself to 250 and under with open sites!  Thats still a long poke!  With top of the line peeps I might go further but not on game!

The rifle you have is capable to shoot 1000 yards with accurate ammo- .5-.1" groups at 100 yards! And you should able to do this with open sites and a good rest!!

 My eyes are not that good,but my glasses correct my vision for the most part. I never felt they got the prescription correct,so Im going to discuss the situation with the doctor and see if it can be improved. Red dot sights dont look like a dot to me,they look like a fuzzy line.

 It occurs to me that the open sights might be a big plus for you since you are just shooting paper,and my understanding is that your not using it for a competition. You have rifles with scopes,but this one is good and accurate at range without them and its an opportunity to develop or enhance skills.

[Mikey]

If any of you have not yet had the pleasure or the challenge of a Appleseed shoot, you really need to get to one and learn how to make the Rifleman's Quarter Mile Shot.  It either gives you a new perspective on your abilities or awakens training long forgotten; centerfire is so refreshing.................

[WyoStillhunter]

+1 for Appleseed training.  Iron sights beyond 100 yards take lots of practice.  When shooting at distinct targets like a black bullseye on light colored paper a flat top post front sight will allow greater precision.  By sighting with the top of the bead precision can be had...IF you have really good eyesight.  As long as targets are inanimate just have fun and learn what works for you -- No blood, no foul. 

[securitysix]

Try 1,000 yds, International Match, open sights - open military sights that is.  

If you want to use that 300 for target and plinking and intend on keeping those sights then you will have to elevate your rear sight until you can take a 6 o'clock hold on your target (milk jug); that means the target object sits on top of the front sight blade or bead so that when you shoot the bullet strikes the center of the target, rather than having the front sight bead cover the target.  

For one gallon bottle sized targets your maximum range with open sights might be out to 300 yds.  It may help to paint the container some color that really lets it stand out.  HTH.

 I understand Simo Hayha made most of his shots from a sitting position at around 400 yards. Ive heard of Finnish snipers making shots out past 600 yards at apparently Hayha was not the only one that used iron sights. The sights on those things were terrible as well. With decent sights and decent skill I would expect someone to be able to hit at 3-400 yards on a rifle with a decent set of sights.

The sights on the Mosin-Nagant aren't anywhere near as bad as the sights on the Mauser. 

As for open sights and longer distances, I once decided to shoot my StG-58 clone (FAL) at the high power silhouette targets.  Granted, I was shooting from prone and it has a bi-pod, but I was able to hit the rams with it.  I also learned that day that the rifle was shooting way high at every distance (I had to use the 200m setting to hit the 500m rams).

[mrussel]

Try 1,000 yds, International Match, open sights - open military sights that is.  

If you want to use that 300 for target and plinking and intend on keeping those sights then you will have to elevate your rear sight until you can take a 6 o'clock hold on your target (milk jug); that means the target object sits on top of the front sight blade or bead so that when you shoot the bullet strikes the center of the target, rather than having the front sight bead cover the target.  

For one gallon bottle sized targets your maximum range with open sights might be out to 300 yds.  It may help to paint the container some color that really lets it stand out.  HTH.

 I understand Simo Hayha made most of his shots from a sitting position at around 400 yards. Ive heard of Finnish snipers making shots out past 600 yards at apparently Hayha was not the only one that used iron sights. The sights on those things were terrible as well. With decent sights and decent skill I would expect someone to be able to hit at 3-400 yards on a rifle with a decent set of sights.

The sights on the Mosin-Nagant aren't anywhere near as bad as the sights on the Mauser. 

As for open sights and longer distances, I once decided to shoot my StG-58 clone (FAL) at the high power silhouette targets.  Granted, I was shooting from prone and it has a bi-pod, but I was able to hit the rams with it.  I also learned that day that the rifle was shooting way high at every distance (I had to use the 200m setting to hit the 500m rams).

 I actually prefer the sights on my Turkish Mauser to the ones on my Mosins.